Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Almost Foolproof Color



    Let's face it during the hottest part of summer most of us want plants that aren't too fussy and can 
handle stress from the heat, drought 
wind or storms. 


In Oklahoma we get a little of everything and I'm happy that I have some foolproof plants in my garden that I don't have to worry about.   Oh I have fussy plants too but it's nice to have some low maintenance plants!  
The above pictures were taken in July  a few summers ago when my sunny border was in full bloom.  Everything is a perennial or shrub and low maintenance.   

2013

The knockout roses are just the best shrubs I've ever had...I love them to pieces and they are always in bloom throughout the summer and continue right up until frost!  

2013


My Chaste tree or Texas Lilac is gorgeous and can take the heat.  It just started blooming this week and blooms before the crepe myrtles.

2013
Look at all the blooms!  I  love the fact that it drops seeds and I have  free seedlings.  This year I am going to transplant them onto the greenbelt behind my house.  They love full sun and benefit from having lots of space. 



Pink Cleome or spider plants I start from seed and it reseeds itself ..this year my seeds are just starting to pop up.  We are about a month behind our normal growing season due to late frosts and buckets of rain. 
  

I don't use sprays or pesticides in my garden for fear of hurting the beneficial bugs and the wildlife so I do have a few things that get munched on but I feel it's healthier for our environment to be as organic as possible.  These plants rarely need anything and aren't  bothered by insects.  All they need is just an occasional  pruning really just to keep them inbounds.  They will need regular watering during the really hot months of July and August but will reward with lots of pretty blooms.   

2012

Crepe Myrtles are just the best foolproof plants in the South and Midwest and mine are growing well this year but haven't bloomed yet.  Last year I planted 5 new plants.  I can't wait till 
they start blooming!

2012

Last year I added  Dynamite,  Tuscarora, Natchez and Candy Cane which is a smaller variety and they are  still getting established this year.    

via internet

Dynamite is a deep red and is named appropriately!

via internet

Natchez is the prettiest white and
 has a weeping habit.

via internet


Tuscarora is a bright pink and is advertised as one of the best bloomers with a long flowering cycle.


via internet


Candy Cane is a cute pink with white ruffled edges and I just love it.


Black- eyed Susan's and Blanket flowers are heat lovers too and give a pop of color to my border.


Summer is here and I can't wait for everything to be in full bloom. 
 Hope you are enjoying your garden! 



11 comments:

  1. I love that Candy Cane Crepe Myrtle! So pretty! My favorite heat tolerant plant is the white Coneflower. It looks great all the way to October! Mine has it's first blooms now. And it takes shade very well. You have some lovely plants in your garden.

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  2. You have such a lush looking garden. I'd love the crepe myrtles, but they wouldn't live in my Zone 5 garden. My aunt in Dallas had some and she would save the seed pods and use them in arrangements. I may still have some of them in my basement that would be over 35 years old. I am a saver--it was a teacher thing! Now I'm retired and will have to edit my stashes!!♥♫

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  3. Hey, Sonia! Your garden is just gorgeous! You just saying the words "green belt" and I'm a bit envious. :) One of these days I need to come take a look at all these beautiful blooms in person.

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  4. Beautiful beautiful! We have many of the Chaste trees (or we call them Vitex) at our neighborhood entrance. They are absolutely amazing. Paul and I want to put some in the greenbelt behind our house too. They are so drought tolerant and the bees love them. I can't wait for my yard to be as pretty as yours. Takes love and attention.

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  5. Lovely gardens!... how I envy being able to grow Crepe Myrtles! Larry

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  6. You have an absolutely lovely garden. Visiting from Tootsie Time

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  7. So many pretties and they are all my favorites..
    Happy Summer hugs, Cherry

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  8. Thanks for the lesson. I'm saving this, and now I have some good ideas about what to add to my garden! Cherry Kay

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  9. Gorgeous....simply gorgeous. I am in Zone 5 and miss crepe myrtles, I wish they were hardy up here! It's such a beautiful tree...

    Thanks for sharing this, your garden is wonderful :-)

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  10. Wow, I love this post, you've given us a small garden lesson to keep for sure! Your garden is stunning my friend and so inviting. Thank you for your sweet visit. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  11. Such a great collection of strong plants!

    Wonderful to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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